Restoring a sporterized P13...

[Fazakerley]

Yes, the title is correct… I'm about to embark on the restoration of a sporterized P13. Unfortunately it's been pretty badly abused. The ears have been partly ground down, the stock has been cut and sanded, and the barrel is not original. But it's the only P13 I have and restorations have been undertaken with much less.

Any advice on finding parts and doing the work would be much appreciated...

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[Badger]

Good luck finding parts to rebuild one of these...

For members here who are unfamiliar with these very rare pieces, check out the MKL for an nice article about them.

Pattern 1913 "Trials" Rifle (.276 in.) (click here) - 137 pic virtual tour

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Doug

[Fazakerley]

Doug

Yes, I know I've really got my work cut out, but it's not every day you find a P13, even if it has been through the wringer… I'll post photographs of the finished gun next year. I promise.

Gary

[Badger]

Doug

Yes, I know I've really got my work cut out, but it's not every day you find a P13, even if it has been through the wringer… I'll post photographs of the finished gun next year. I promise.

Gary

The one pictured above is in my wife's collection, so if we can help you through pics and comparing what she has, let us know ..

Regards,
Doug

[Chuckindenver]

i was thinking the same thing...good luck with parts...nice find though

[bigduke6]

Gary, there is guy in NZ who can and has spliced in the missing peace of the stock or (fore-end on Enfields) it looks like yours was cut after the barrel band so still a good chance it could be saved, think the hand gaurds from a P14/M1917 should fit.

[DocAV]

A big project, I am sure.
Woodwork: if the forewood has not been "Thinned" ( it seems so, given the loss of the Long range (Volley) sight disc, and the absence of the "step" where the Barrel band should be, the rebuilding of the stock may need some very creative woodwork (Finnish splice just ahead of the hand grip grooves, so as not to "lose" them....it may be simpler to get a completely NEW stock carved (copied) from an original.

Top handguards, P14 will suffice.

Metal work: Volley sights...correct range plates like Rocking Horse Apples...P14 differnt range lines (for .303 MkVII).

Missing Bands...I suppose P14 will pass Muster...

Receiver Ears....can be "built up" by TIG welding and then reshaped...not a job for the timid or in-experienced.
Are the correct rear sight parts there? (again, P13 Ladder is diff. from P14 Ladder markings.)

Correct Barrel and Markings...Now that is a puzzlement!!!. .276 P13 cartridge is a beast on its own. What barrel is currently in the Gun Now?
Making a correct barrel is not an easy task...first a barrel blank in 7mm (.284-286) with the correct twist rifling, then a .276P13 reamer set ( custom made) then profiling, threading, setting up...etc. Unless you are a "super: Gunsmith working on "retirement hobby" time, this job alone will cost you four to five times what the Rifle (in its present condition) is worth.

And at the end, it will simply be a "period restoration/rebuild" piece...like doing up a veteran car and putting a modern Aluminium cylinder block into its engine compartment, after replacing many rusted out panels and all the Upholstery...how much is really "veteran" and how much is "New"....

But it's your rifle...to do as you please.

Personally, I would leave it as it is, handload for it in its "sporterised" calibre ( what is it?) and hope one day to pick up a "complete, original" one...They are out there.

Doc AV.
..rebuilder of "sporterised" (not too badly) rifles into Movie Military guns...and the occasionale "representative" collectible., to fill a niche until a good original comes along...Chinese proverb..."Wait on the bank of the river long enough, and the body of your enemy will come floating by...")

[Salt Flat]

Faz, 1) What is the scope? Looks interesting.
2)Are the P13 markings and serial no. intact? What bothers me most in reference to restoration is that the barrel is not original. Is it some kind of replacement or an original that has been cut. I would agree with docAV that this is one that would be best to leave as is. With the modified ears and non original barrel the starting point is a real challenge. Basically all you have is an action that has been altered. In the end you will have a parts gun with very little original parts. Salt Flat

[Fazakerley]

I understand the "just leave it alone" school of thought but all I have right now is a sporterized P13, which is of little interest to me. It does however have the potential as an excellent restoration project.

Of course most of the parts won't be original. That's a given. But how many times have you visited a museum and seen a car, or an aircraft, which was found without most of its original parts and yet has been successfully restored?

The story of the Dornier "Flying Pencil" recovered from the Channel is just the latest example to make the newspapers.

So, we'll see what next year brings and what I manage to do with the remnants of a very important British rifle… I'll definitely keep you posted.

Thanks again.

[peregrinvs]

The story of the Dornier "Flying Pencil" recovered from the Channel is just the latest example to make the newspapers.

Not the best analogy TBH. The Dornier is going to be cleaned, stabilised and preserved - not restored.